Our Modules
The three pages that describe our modules are currently under construction. They provide pictures of most of the existing modules in our layout, including those under construction. Clicking on the picture of most (but not all) modules will display a detailed description of that module.
All of our modules adhere generally to the NASG S-MOD standard. This dictates the location of the two mainline tracks relative to the front edge of each module, the height of the rails above the floor, electrical connections between modules, and other things. Our one significant deviation from S-MOD is the provision of alignment pins on both ends of each module; these ensure accurate alignment of adjacent modules and greatly reduces set-up time when we move the layout from one location to another. In the event that we some day connect one or more of our modules to the S-MOD compliant layout of another club, all we'll need to do is unscrew the male alignment pin from each module face that interfaces to a module from the other club. The Module Design page provides information about other aspects of module design that apply to all modules in the layout. Because these standards apply equally to all club modules, we don't bother mentioning them in the detailed module descriptions that follow.
The first of the club-owned modules is the Twin Lakes corner module (designated C1). Ranger Smith has caught Yogi Bear and Booboo with a stolen picnic basket. Notice all the trees the beavers cut down for their lodge and dam in the upper lake. Each of the mainline tracks passes through a tunnel. It was built in 2008, one of the club's first eight modules.
This is the east end of the Twin Lakes module where the creek (now dry due to the California drought) spills from the beaver dam on the upper lake down to the lower lake and on to the adjacent Girder Bridge module (see below). A hiking trail leads up to the campsite where the king, guarded by a Samurai Warrior, is asleep in his tent. While a beaver swims near his lodge in the middle of the upper lake, a bear near the shore has caught a fish for lunch.
To the east of the Twin Lakes corner module is the Girder Bridge module (S13) which was built in 2010. Rumor has it that a rustic mountain lodge will some day replace the Plasticville house.
Orange Grove Corner (C4). It was designed to fit next to the Girder Bridge module shown above and that's how we configure the layout when we set up at the Model Railroad Museum or other venues where a long, thin layout is in order. In our current Grossmont Center clubhouse, however, two other modules separate them to create a wider layout. Like the other three corner modules, it was built in 2008, one of the club's first eight modules.
When we were in Liberty Station, across the street from High Tech High School, a girl came in during lunch one day and told us that we wouldn't have any oranges in the orchard the next year. when we asked why, she replied, "No bees." So Mike added some beehives modeled after the ones his daughter manages for the state parks in Humboldt County, and we've had oranges ever since. She was right!
The east end of the Arizona Mesa corner module (C2) with super heroes launching off the cliff after their dune buggy gets stuck in a ditch. Both mainline tracks pass through a tunnel. Like the other three corner modules, it was built in 2008, one of the club's first eight modules.
The west end of the Arizona Mesa corner module (C2)
On one corner of the layout is a matched set of three Dairy Farm themed modules designed to fit together. Dairy Farm Corner (C3) is the anchor for these modules. To the east is the Farm House Module (S14) and to the west is the Trestle Bridge module (S7).
Dairy Farm Corner (C3) is the home of the world's neatest tool shed and Tim the Toolman on his jet-propelled lawnmower. Like the other three corner modules, it was built in 2008, one of the club's first eight modules. The billboard "Eat more chickin" is a recent addition.
The Farm House Module (S14) features a walled pasture, a duck pond, and farmhouse with pictures on the walls. Among the pictures is the New Jersey house where Alex grew up and his family dog. Now, this farmer has his ducks all in a row! S14 was built in 2011.
The Trestle Bridge module (S7) is a picture out of Alex's childhood: he and a buddy used to fish in a creek with cows grazing on the other side. They were always afraid the cows would come after them, but they never did. Cows are big and scary for little kids! The trestle was hand made, each piece cut out, stained, and glued individually using a commercial jig. It took six months to build and is a beautiful example of detailed modelling. S7 was built in 2009.
The S-Curve module (C5) was designed to route the layout around a jog in the wall and extend it deeper into our suite. It was not designed with a theme in mind so members brought in buildings and vehicles to fill it.
